Self packing shortening measure device



Feb. 13,1962 D. D. MAURER 3,021,033

SELF PACKING SHORTENING MEASURE DEVICE Filed June 12, 1959 '9- 2 INVENTOR. flo/m/dfl Wax w.

United States Patent SELF PACKING SHORTENING MEASURE DEVICE Donald D. Maurer, P.O. Box 355, Alamo, Calif. Filed June 12, 1959, Ser. No. 819,902 1 Claim. (Cl. 222-47) This invention relates to a device for handling material such as shortening.

The object of the invention is to provide a device which can be manually operated in order to gather up a predetermined quantity of shortening such as lard or the like, and wherein after the shortening has been gathered up from a large container or other receptacle, the shortening can be readily dispensed into a suitable area.

A still further objectof the invention is to provide a device which is constructed so that any desired quantity of shortening or shortening-like material can be accurately and conveniently picked up and dispensed so as to facilitate the handling of such material.

A further object of the invention is to provide a self packing shortening measure device which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view taken through the self packing shortening measuring device of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a top sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view of the device.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIGURE 5.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates the self packing shortening measure device of the present invention which is shown to comprise a hollow cylindrical body member which is indicated generally by the numeral 11, and there is provided on the lower end of the body member 11 an outwardly flaring skirt 12 for a purpose to be later described.

The numeral 13 indicates a horizontally disposed bar which is arranged adjacent the skirt 12, and the bar 13 includes angularly arranged end sections 14 as well as an intermediate twisted portion 15.

The numeral 16 indicates a piston which is movably or adjustably mounted in the body member 11, and the piston 16 includes a circular plate portion 17 as Well as an upwardly disposed outer circular rim 18. The numeral 19 indicates a circular collar which extends upwardly from the adjacent center of said plate portion 17 and which is secured thereto or formed integral therewith. A pin 20 is affixed to the collar 19 in a suitable manner.

There is further provided a keeper 21 which is provided with a slot 22, FIGURE 3, and the slot 22 is shaped to include a first portion 23 of reduced size as well as a second portion 24 of increased size.

The numeral 25 indicates a handle or rod which is adjustable through the slots 22 and 24 in the keeper 21, and

the lower portion of the rod 25 is cut away as at 26 so ice in its adjusted position. Indicia or scale markings 29 on the rod 25 provide a means whereby the rod 25 can be accurately set to the desiredposition to give the required amount of shortening. The numeral 30 indicates a knob which is mounted on the upper end of the rod 25 so as to facilitate the manual manipulation thereof.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a device which is especially suitable for gathering up a measured or accurate quantity of shortening, lard, or other material of like consistency from a bulk container. The device of the present invention includes the flaring portion 12 at the bottom where the cutter and holding bars are and the provision of the flare and bars are necessary to take the friction from the outside of the measure and to stop the suction from the inside when removing the full measure from the can of shortening. If desired the body member or can 11 may be provided with a lid, or else the lid can be omitted as desired. The flare or flanged skirt 12 on the bottom is important since it keeps the upper part of the measure clean from shortening, and also serves to reduce friction, vacuum and suction. The bar on the bottom is not only for cutting, but also sets on an angle so as to pick up the shortening and load it into the cylinder and helps hold the shortening in the cylinder or body member 11 when withdrawing from the container. Some of the important features of the present invention are the provision of the cutting, filling and holding bar, the angle or flare 12 at the bottom of the measure, the piston 16 and the connection to the measuring rod 25, and the measuring rod 25 which acts as a handle when withdrawing from the container, are as stated previously important aspects of the present invention.

The cutting and holding bars and the rod 25 are important parts of the present invention. The one cutting and holding bar 13 may be used when handling present type of shortening, but for thinner shortening an additional bar 13 may be added at right angles to hold the shortening in measure while withdrawing from the shortening can.

When using the self packing shortening measure device of the present invention, the measuring rod 25 is inserted through the lid hole or slot 24 and the lug 27 is arranged in engagement with the pin 20 and to lock the rod 25, the rod 25 can be turned in a right hand direction and this Will serve to lock the measuring rod 25 to the piston 16. Then, the rod 25 is set for the desired amount and pushed down until the keeper hits the top of the body member 11 and then the rod can be turned to the left and this will cause the rod 25 to separate from the piston 16. Then, the rod 25 is pulled out and laid aside.

Next, the measure is inserted into the can of shortening, pushing down the measure and turning right at the same time as the shortening enters the measure till it reaches the piston 16 which measures the desired amount. Then, the user keeps turning right and pulls the measure out of the shortening can. The rod 25 is turned to the right so as to lock the rod to the piston 16 and the keeper or stop 21 which is adjustable is adjusted to the proper groove 28 on the rod 25 and the rod is pushed down until the keeper 21 rests on the lid of the member 11 or on top of the member 11. With a knife, the user removes the shortening that sticks out beyond the measure and there will now be the desired amount of shortening in the measure.

To remove the measured amount of shortening, the keeper 21 is moved to the top groove 28 and the rod 25 is. pushed down until it stops. The slot 22 is constructed so that when the rod 25 is extending through the enlarged portion 24 of the slot 22, the rod 25 can be adjusted to different measuring positions by the keeper 21.

As stated previously, to use a cupful, the stop or keeper 21 is placed in the bottom groove 28 and the rod 25 is held in proper position. Each groove or ring 28 on the rod may represent one-fourth of a cup and intermediate grooves may represent one-third, two-thirds, or one cup, as shown by markings 29. With the present invention the device does not have to be washed after use and it is only necessary to remove the rod and insert the measure back in the can and then close the can lid and set it aside for future use. The device can be made of a suitable material such as plastic or metal.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

What is claimed is:

A self packing shortening measure device comprising a hollow cylindrical body member having an outwardly flaring skirt on its lower end, a horizontally disposed bar contiguous to said skirt and said bar embodying angularly arranged end sections and an intermediate twisted portion, a. piston adjustably mounted in said body memher, and said piston including a circular plate portion and an upwardly disposed outer circular rim, a circular collar affixed to the central section of said plate portion, a pin atfixed to said collar, a keeper mounted on the upper end of said body member and said keeper being provided with 'a slot, said slot being shaped to include a first portion of reduced size and a second portion of increased size, an adjustable rod extending through said slot and having a cutaway portion on its lower end defining a lug for selective engagement with the pin in said collar whereby move ment of the rod will cause movement of the piston in the body member, a knob on the upper end of said rod for facilitating the manual manipulation thereof, there being a plurality of spaced apart grooves in said rod, and indicia on said rod providing a means whereby the rod can be accurately set to the desired position to give the required amount of shortening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Yearout July 3, 1951 2,731,176 Crewe Jan. 17,1956 2,915,226 Sundholm Dec. 1, 1959 

